Went out with Sergio to set monitor baits for the last time (for both of us) this morning at 6:30 AM. I’ll be leaving in the morning for Sandakan, and then flying back home to Portland, Oregon on Tuesday, and he will be leaving for Cardiff University in a few short days (and then he’ll be visiting home in a few months). Sadly,  we didn’t have to meet up with Meg, as no civets were caught, but I am glad that they weren’t, as it would not have been much fun for them to be stuck out in the rain all night last night.

The rain had started a bit after midnight last night, in the form of a raging storm. Howling wind (which slammed our door open and closed a few times), thunder, lightning–it was wonderful, and much needed, as I couldn’t fall asleep due to the heat.

All of the monitor lizards the we captured today (5) were re-captures so we didn’t have to record any data, apart from ID chip numbers. After we released our reptillian (to be scientifically correct, they are actually non-avaian sauropsids) friends, we carried each of the five sets of chicken gut-covered tracking equipment two kilometers back to the boat. After a short and fairly odiferous boat ride back to DG to unload it all, my final day of work here was complete. I took a shower and began to pack up my belongings.

Nearly everything packed now, apart from a few things at my desk. The lads (Doyo, Alut, and Joe) and I just enjoyed some last-minute Malay haircuts from Alut, the master barber himself (with Koko as his assistant). They tried to talk Joe and I into mowhawks, which Alut gave himself and Doyo, but we declined and went with marginally different styles.

Prior to our new haircuts, we had a truly amazing dinner, thanks to our wonderful ladies Kila, Hasner, Azlina, and Ryko. It has been so wonderful since I first arrived here. Everyone has been very welcoming and frinedly; I will miss you all.

Thank you Meg, Danica, Sergio, Joe, Abbie, Katey, Charlie, Aubery, Masayo, Doyo, Azlina, Alut, Kila, Koko, Ryko, Yusri Samsir, Hasner, Peter, Budin, Benoit, and all of the little ones.

Until we meet again,

Isaac